Kerosene Creek , Rotorua

Queenstown Hill, Queenstown

Must-do Free Experiences in New Zealand

From stunning beaches and natural hot springs, to flowing waterfalls and marine reserves, New Zealand has endless free experiences for you to discover.

Watch Oceans Battle at Cape Reinga

There are not many places where you can watch two oceans meet. And at 165 meters above sea level, nowhere offers a more spectacular way to do so than the lookout at Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand. Photo by @misi_chan on Instagram

Visit Cape Reinga, Northland & Bay of Islands

By @misi_chan

Watch as oceans collide at New Zealand's most northern tip.

Northland & Bay of Islands

Highlights

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Dune surfing on Ninety Mile Beach

Dolphin encounters

Proximity

By car:
5hr 40min from Auckland Central

By car:
2hr 45min from Paihia, Bay of Islands

Chase the Fish at Goat Island

Actually, it’s not the island itself that’s the attraction – rather the waters that surround it. Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island) in Auckland was one of New Zealand’s first, situated on a coastline already abundant in sea life. So put your mask and snorkel on and dive in.

Swim with Snapper at Goat Island, Auckland

By Enderby

Get up close to masses of colourful fish at Goat Island Marine Reserve.

Auckland

Highlights

New Zealand's oldest marine reserve

Matakana markets, cafes and vineyards

Tawharanui Regional Park

Proximity

By car:
1hr 10mins from Auckland Central

Hot Spring at Kerosene Creek

35 kilometres south of Rotorua is Kerosene Creek, where a hot spring and freshwater stream meet, allowing you to bathe and relax all year round. Photo by @petiteloudy on Instagram.

Hot Kerosene Creek, Rotorua

By @petiteloudy

Hot Kerosene Creek

Rotorua

Highlights

Whakarewarewa Forest trails

The Buried Village of Te Wairoa

Scenic flights to White Island

Proximity

By car:
2hr 50min from Auckland Central

By bus:
4hr 30min from Auckland Central

By car:
5hr 40min from Wellington Central

Hot Pools at Hot Water Beach

The water at Hot Water Beach in The Coromandel is like a bath. Literally. Natural thermal springs run under the sand between the high- and low-tide mark and you can dig yourself a hot pool. Photo by @victorgag on Instagram.

Hot Water Beach, The Coromandel

By @victorgag

Dig your own beach-spa while soaking in epic ocean views of the Pacific at Hot Water Beach in The Coromandel.

The Coromandel

Highlights

Cathedral Cove

The Pinnacles track

Gold-mining history in Waihi

Proximity

By car:
2hr 40min from Auckland Central

By bus:
Approx 4hr from Auckland Central

Enjoy the Rere Rock Slide

Just outside the iconic surf town of Gisborne, Rere Rock Slide is New Zealand’s first waterslide. Carved over thousands of years it’s become a stunning natural waterpark.

Riding the Rere Rockslide, Eastland

By Bare Kiwi

Just out of Gisborne is a 60-metre-long natural water slide. The Rere Rockslide is as much fun as it looks in the photos.

Eastland

Highlights

Top notch surf beaches

Wine trail - Chardonnay is the specialty

Maori culture and heritage

Proximity

By car:
3hr 30 min from Rotorua

By plane:
1hr from Auckland

Hike an Active Volcano

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a challenging and fun one-day hike through Tongariro National Park, a dual World Heritage listed site. You’ll see lava flows, an active crater, steam vents, emerald coloured lakes and magnificent views making this an epic walking journey. If you’re willing to step up to the challenge you’ll be rewarded with some views that are impossible to get any other way. Along with bragging rights, of course. Photo by @semiamateurphotography on Instagram.

Walking Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand

By @semiamateurphotography

Crossing a stark and spectacular volcanic terrain, Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the world's best day walks.

Ruapehu

Highlights

Emerald lakes

Panoramic views

Volcanic craters and lava flows

Proximity

By car:
10 mins from Turangi

By car:
45 min from Ohakune/Taupo

By car:
4hr 15min from Wellington Central

Visit Auckland's wild West Coast

With picturesque waterfalls and spectacular black-sand beaches, Auckland’s West Coast is just waiting to be explored. Climb Lion Rock at Piha Beach or visit the huge gannet colony at Muriwai. Although just an hour from the city centre, you'll feel a world away among the rugged, untamed beauty.

Waitakere Bay & Bethells Beach, Auckland

By Kai Lehnberg

Discover the rugged beauty of Auckland's West Coast.

Auckland

Highlights

Lion Rock on Piha Beach

Streams, caves and cliffs

Surfing, horse-riding, blo-karting

Proximity

Stargaze in Canterbury

Covering much of the Aoraki/Mount Cook Mackenzie region is an International Dark Sky Reserve - the Southern Hemisphere’s sole reserve of its kind and one of only eight in the world. This is a stargazing experience that is second to none. Extensive testing has proven the area has the darkest, and most spectacular night skies in New Zealand with the highest number of clear sky nights! Photo by @david.rexer on Instagram.

Stargazing the night away, Christchurch - Canterbury

By @david.rexer

Campers take in the beautiful southern night sky in the Aoraki/Mount Cook region.

Christchurch - Canterbury

Highlights

Climbing and Mountain walks

Stargazing

Glacier viewing and skiing

Proximity

By car:
4hr from Christchurch Central

By car:
3hr from Queenstown

Reflect on Wanaka’s Blue Pools

A short walk from the Haast Highway, in Mount Aspiring National Park, are the Blue Pools with some of the bluest water the world has to offer, it’s so clear you can often see New Zealand’s famous brown and rainbow trout migrating. Photo by @ellenprojects on Instagram.

The Blue Pools in Wanaka, Wanaka

By @ellenprojects

The crystal clear blue water at Wanaka's stunning Blue Pools.

Wanaka

Highlights

Skiing and snowboarding

Sailing, jetboating, and kayaking

Flightseeing, skydiving, and canyoning

Proximity

By car:
2hr from Queenstown

By car:
50min from Wanaka Township

By bicycle:
4hr 45min from Wanaka

Chase Fiordland’s Waterfalls

Mountains and waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into massive fiords here - hence the name Fiordland. The area is renowned for it's spectacular scenery and walks throughout the Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Don't miss out on a sight that’s completely, utterly and unforgettably majestical. Which is officially a word in New Zealand. Almost. Photo by @hannahdanilu on Instagram.